Student retention
In my current place of employment, student retention is everyones responsibility. It is very interesting to observe several methods utilized by the instructor staff to encourage students to "stay the course", but I think all methods have one common thread, and that is genuine concern. The students feel that their instructor truly cares are generally the students who remain in school.
I agree with Rachel if you show concern they will open up to you and the instructor can lead them in the proper direction.
Jay I agree with you however at my college the students need to be given the direction on what a goal is and how to get to it. We have them write what their goal is and what steps they will take to get to that goal. Most understand this but we do have some that do not know how to prioritize their steps. We as instructors need to identify those who need that extra help and give them that careing and courtecy that they need to develop their plans and too help them stay on tract with their steps.
I agree, we have to remember that these are not children they are adults. I work in a specialty Art school and our student's dress, act, and think a little diffrent than most people. But if I treat them with respect it is always returned.
Hi Jay,
Thank you for the remarks concerning maintaining high standards that reflect the requirements of business and industry. This is where we are sending our students and thus we have to be training to that level.
Gary
I also believe student retention is first done in the classroom, yes you need to be careing and courteous, but at the same time if you set goals for them and do not follow through that is telling them that it is o.k. to miss the mark. In industry they will be expected to get to their goals on a consistent basis, I feel that if you continually raise the learning bar, not all at once, the students will strive each and every day to reach the goal.
I think that if everyone just treated the student like a human being there would not be any preolem with retention. Students want to be respected for what they are trying to accomplish. If you respect them that will respect their instructor and the school they have chosen to attend.
Strict and fair. Act like a human being and treat your students as a human and you will suceed.
Hi Susan,
You make a number of very good points on how to handle the different student situations. Consistency has to be present, but that consistency can be manifested in a number of different ways. In your fairness with your students you are factoring in the different circumstances that brought them to that situation. Consistency in this case is professionalism on your part and an understanding of what is needed for that student.
Gary
We walk a fine line. I find that I want to be more strict on assignments, and yet because of being in this environment, I find I have better relationships when I allow my students to rectify mistakes (i.e. hand in late homework event though syllabus says no late hw accepted). It's very challenging to show that I care, that I understand their issues, and at the same time follow through with boundaries and expectations. It really ends up being a case by case situation.
Hi Ronald,
Retention issues revolve many different causes. Students have to see the relevancy of the courses they are taking and how they are building a future for themselves or they will leave school. Also, when outside issues, such as family and money intrude they often will leave school.
Instructors by developing rapport with students can greatly aid their retention because the students know that the instructors care about their success. This is one of the fun parts of teaching, developing rapport with students and watching them grow and be successful in their career area.
Gary
Is the retention the instructor problem or socity problem
Hi Rochelle,
You make a good point about the effort that is put into student retention and yet sometimes the students do not come through either with their attendance or learning efforts. This is sad but it is also a part of the learning process. Meaning that the career college has high standards of performance based upon the standards of the career field for which the students are training and that they have to work to acquire the knowledge and skills of that field. I have found that the students respect this even though at times they complain about having to come to class and do the work.
We always leave the door open to their return should they decide to step out of school for a while. We want them to know that they are welcome to pick up where they left off. Many return to us to complete their training once they have gotten their lives settled down and set for themselves the goal of completing school.
Gary
In my college we to have everyone responsible for retention also, but it does come down to the instructors altimately. We have students though who you can put everything into caring for them and they still don't attend class regularly and that is the problem we have here.
Hi Rachel,
You make a good point. Most everything in life boils down to relationships. If students know that instructors care they will be more inclined to stay in school. They in most cases don't want to disappoint someone they respect.
Gary
